CC MTG MINUTES NOVEMBER 5 2014 •
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated November 5, 2014
• Meeting was called to order by President Johnson at 7:00pm at the Auditorium at the
Roberta G. Doering School, 68 Main Street, Agawam.
Item A.Roll Call
• ROLL CALL—11 PRESENT,0 ABSENT
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Cecilia
Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, James Cichetti, Council President Christopher Johnson, Gina
Letellier, Joseph Mineo, Vice President Dennis Perry, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi and
• Anthony Suffriti. With eleven councilors present, there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge ofAllegiance.
President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
! Item C. Citizen's Sneak Time
There were no citizens signed up for Citizen's Speak Time.
Item D. Minutes
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Motion to approve the October 20, 2014 Regular City Council meeting minutes was
made by Councilors Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The minutes were
approved by a vote of: 11 Yes, 0 No.
• Item E. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item F. Presentation of PeUdons, Memorials& Remonstrances
1. TR-2014-30 - Resolution to establish an Ad Hoc Sub-Committee of the Agawam
City Council to initiate an investigation of the Agawam Municipal Golf Course
pursuant to Section 2-11 of the Agawam Home Rule Charter (Councilors Letellier,
Johnson and Perry)
• Motion made to take the item off the item on the table made by Councilor Letellier and seconded
by Councilor Perry. Council President Johnson explained the he emailed and placed a printed
version of an amended TR-2014-30. This amended version is a middle ground where everyone
can move forward and address the City Council's concerns without the stigma of an
"investigation". It creates an Ad Hoc Committee made up of three City Councilors, a member of
the Golf Commission and the Golf Course Manager, all of whom would review the operations
and prepare an improvement plan for the course. If the Mayor chooses not to join in this spirit of
compromise then we should just vote on our original resolution.
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Councilor Letellier commented on the Mayor's response in suggesting that she be on the Golf
Commission on which she has no interest to be. Her interest lies in the fiscal responsibility of the
golf course and on that note Councilor Letellier also noted she would never vote for $91,000+to
be appropriated from Free Cash for the Golf Course. Councilor Rossi agreed and suggested we
vote on the amendment to the Resolution and then table it to wait for the Mayor's response.
Councilor Perry agreed with both and supports the amended version. The Golf Course had a
good year due in part to the action of the City Council by appropriating funds for the golf carts
which put the course in a much better position to have a good season. We now need to work with
them on a plan for when there is a down season. Councilor Cavallo liked the toned down version
of "investigation" to "review" and Councilor Bitzas agreed that it sounded better. He and
Councilor Letellier thought maybe the Auditor should be part of the Ad Hoc Committee as well.
• Councilor Bitzas also mentioned a citizen or independent person would be a good idea but he
disagreed on voting on the amendment right now. Council President Johnson stated that since the
Auditor supports the Council that while she should definitely attend the meetings; she shouldn't
be a voting member. Councilor Cichetti thanked the Council for trying to compromise on this
issue. It is a great step in the right direction. He hates to see negativity and the main issue is the
entire Council wants the Golf Course to succeed. Council President wanted to take a straw vote
on the amendment however Councilor Letellier didn't think a straw vote is allowed under
Roberts' Rules of Order. Councilors Calabrese and Mineo also agreed with the amended version
hoping to make improvements at the course. Councilor Rheault reminded the Council of all the
taxpayers' money that could be going to the Golf Course as there is a great deal of landscaping
equipment with costs up to $300,000 that will need replacing at some point in the near future.
Councilors Bitzas and Cavallo stated that it is in the town's best interest to compromise and meet
with the Mayor on this. Council President Johnson stated he is always willing to meet with the
Mayor and agreed that this compromise is a positive step. Motion made by Councilor Cichetti
and seconded by Councilor Letellier to place this item back on the table. The item is back on the
table.
r Item 7. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item & Elections
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None.
Item 9 Public Hearings
None.
Item 10. Old Business
1. TOR-2014-5 - An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam to
add Section 49-9 entitled Use of Municipal Vehicles(Councilors Donald Rheault and
Robert Rossi) (Two Readings Required)
Motion to keep the item on the table made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor
Cichetti. The item was re-referred to the Legislative Committee for a recommendation.
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• 2. TOR 2014-9 - An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam to Add
Section 180-95A to assist the Council in Zone Change Requests involving the
Wireless Telecommunications Overlay District (Councilor Johnson) (2 of 2
Readings)
Motion made by Councilor Perry and seconded by Councilor Cichetti to move this second and
final reading.
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the second and final reading.
3. TO-2014-27 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Bear Auto
Sales,517 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills, MA.(Clerk)
Motion made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Rheault. Councilor Rossi as Chair
of Administrative Committee gave a report sending a positive recommendation for TO-2014-27
through and including TO-2014-30. Motion made to consolidate these items.
• The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the license.
4. TO-2014-28 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Chris Auto
South,Inc.,207 Main Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
See item#3
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the license.
5. TO-2014-29 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Langonet,
Inc.,61 Ramah Circle South,Agawam,MA (Clerk)
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See item#3
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the license.
• 6. TO-2014-30 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Malkoon
Motors,Inc., 1309 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA.(Clerk)
See item#3
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the license.
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7. TO-2014-31 - An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic
Amusement Device and Weekly Amusement Permit for Ferrentino's Pizzeria &
Pub, 1676 Main Street,Agawam,MA. (Clerk)
Motion made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Rossi. Councilor Rossi as Chair
of the Administrative Committee gave a report sending a positive recommendation to the Full
Council.
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the permit.
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• 8. TO-2014-32 - An Order Granting or Renewing a Junk Dealer's PERMIT for
Agawam Coin and Gold,270 Main Street(Flea Market),Agawam,MA(Clerk)
Motion to table made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. The voice vote
was unanimous.
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9. TO-2014-33 - An Order Granting or Renewing a Junk Dealer's PERMIT for
Block Jewelers,Inc.,299 Walnut Street,Agawam,MA(Clerk)
Motion made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Perry. Councilor Rossi as Chair of
the Administrative Committee gave a report sending a positive recommendation to the Full
Council.
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the permit.
Item 11. New Business
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1. TR-2014-37 -A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation
Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the
rehabilitation of the Athletic Facility located at the Agawam High School(CPA)
Referred to Finance Committee and Community Relations Committee,next Agenda.
2. TR 2014-38 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation
Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the
preservation,rehabilitation and restoration of the historic School Street Barn(CPA)
Referred to Finance Committee and Community Relations Committee,next Agenda.
3. TO-2014-34 - An Order Granting a Class 1 Dealer's LICENSE to Beaver
Camper Service, 721 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee,next Agenda.
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4. TO-2014-35 - An Order Granting a Class 1 Dealer's LICENSE to Sarat Ford
Sales,Inc.,221 Springfield Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee,next Agenda.
• 5. TO-2014-36 - An Order Granting a Class 1 Dealer's LICENSE to Sarat Ford
Sales,Inc.,243-249 Springfield Street,Agawam,MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
6. TO-2014-37 - An Order Granting a Class 1 Dealer's LICENSE to Sarat Ford
Sales,Inc.,250 Springfield Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee,next Agenda.
7. TO-2014-38 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Elias Auto,
• 1123 Suffield Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee,next Agenda.
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S. TO-2014-39 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Garden Auto
Sales,204 Garden Street,Feeding Hills,MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
9. TO-2014-40 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Joseph L
Polys d/b/a Joe's Truck Repair,97 Ramah Circle South,Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee,next Agenda.
10. TO-201441 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Luigi's Auto
0 Sales,Inc.,371 South Westfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee,next Agenda.
11. TO-2014-42 - An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic
Amusement Device and Weekly Amusement Permit for DKJ Corp. d/b/a
Headquarters,485B Springfield Street,Agawam,MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee,next Agenda.
12. TR-201443 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation
Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the
Roof Replacement of the Shea Field Storage/Bathroom Building(CPA)
Referred to Finance Committee and Community Relations Committee,next Agenda.
13 TR-2014-44 - A Resolution adopting a Residential Factor of.823463 pursuant to
Massachusetts General Laws,Chapter 40,Section 56(Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
14. TR-201445 -A Resolution to appropriate an amount$22,245.20 from Free Cash
* to the Agawam Golf Course(Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
15. TR-201446 - A Resolution to appropriate an amount not to exceed $91,000.00
from Free Cash to the Agawam Golf Course(Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
16. TO-201443 - Budgetary Transfer of $13,000.00 from Capital Improvement
Station 2, Electrical Upgrades (#16619-58701) to Fire Department Grounds and
Building Maintenance(#12202-52020)(Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
Item 12. AnE other matter that may legally come before the City Council
Councilor Bitzas asked Council President to re-refer TOR-2014-5 to the Legislative
Committee because they never made a recommendation. Councilor Letellier asked for a
hard copy of the Tax Factor back up information as it was difficult to see on the iPad-
She also mentioned, as a new junior Rosie Robotics mom, that there is the annual Rosie
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• Robotics Ziti dinner on Friday night at the Agawam Congregational Church. Councilor
Cavallo mentioned that the Facility Needs Committee met on the Early Childhood Center
and the meeting minutes were in the recent Administrative report. The committee is
pursuing this and there will be more to report in weeks to come. Councilor Rossi asked
• Barbara to schedule an Administrative Committee meeting and invite the applicant for
Agawam Coin and Gold. Council President mentioned that we will be having a workshop
in November.
Adjournment.
• The Motion to adjourn was moved by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor
Perry with all in favor of adjourning. Time of adjournment 7:41pm.
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